Veteran sports writer Jim Utter covers NASCAR for The Charlotte Observer and its racing site, ThatsRacin.com. In this space, Jim writes about all things NASCAR and other forms of racing which may also be relevant ... or not.

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Kyle Larson is moving on up to the Sprint Cup Series in 2014

Kyle Larson isn't staying put very long.

Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates will move the 21-year-old upstart to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series fulltime in 2014, multiple sources confirmed Tuesday to The Observer and ThatsRacin.com.

An official news conference to introduce the team's new driver is scheduled Friday at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Reached by phone on Tuesday evening, a team spokesman declined comment.

Larson and team members of the Ganassi organization were notified of the decision this week, sources said. Larson will replace Juan Pablo Montoya in the No. 42 Chevrolet.

Larson is in his first full season in the Nationwide Series, running with Turner Scott Motorsports. He has yet to win in Nationwide but is eighth in the series standings and has finished second twice this season. The native of Elk Grove, Calif., earned his first Truck series victory earlier this season at Rockingham, N.C., and won the 2012 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East championship. As a teenager, Larson raced open-wheel cars, including USAC midget, Silver Crown and sprint cars. He also raced World of Outlaws sprint cars.

13 comments:

in his first second place showing he was running door to door with Kyle Busch on the final lap. he's got a lot of talent and will probably be racing in the chase within 3 years. good things ahead for Kyle.

It's too soon. He'll be another Joey Logano, if he's lucky. Best case scenario he gets experience and moves on in a few years and proves his worth in a better situation. Worst case scenario he sucks and no one is willing to take a chance on a kid with no wins in NASCAR unless he brings a 20 million dollar sponsor with hi. The #42 isn't bad equipment with Hendrick engines and they have sponsorship, but this kid is too young and that team has too many issues.

You must be shrooming if you think that Larson has a shot at a Hendrick car. Regardless of how this goes he won't be there. If he does well in the #42, he'll stay there. If he does poorly, he'll not be considered. Gordon is closest to retirement and I still don't see him leaving for a few more years. Johnson is a LONG time from retirement if he keeps running well and Jr. still has more years than Gordon to play with if he wants to. All I know is Logano and his "daddy's money" keeps whipping Larson's "Young Money" ass in Nationwide and is 3 time race winner in Cup while Larson hasn't scored win 1 yet. Might be a bit soon to be bragging about being better when he hasn't proven anything.

Actually, they do use Hendrick engines; they switched to Hendrick engines this year after running ECR engines since Ganassi merged with the former DEI in '09. I would have liked to see Larson join JPM (and Jamie Mac) rather than replace him, though. The #3 (with Austin Dillon) and the #4 (with Harvick) will be returning next year; I'd like to see the #8 come back also...

I hope he will still be able a sprint car every now and then. He is very talented and fun to watch when he drives a 410 sprint car. Sprint car racing is the best racing in the world. Asphalt is for getting to the real track. PA Posse Rules!!!